The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are central to Iceland's development policy and the government is firmly committed to shouldering its responsibility in a globalized world, Foreign Minister Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson told the UN General Assembly on Monday.

He said that as new goals are defined, the focus should remain on eliminating poverty, achieving equality, improving health and providing education for girls and boys.

“The pressure on our ecosystem calls for urgent action to combat pollution and land degradation, as well as a balanced consideration of conservation and utilization of natural resources. It is a challenge to ensure food security when land and water resources are threatened. Our duty is to share experiences and know-how to restore land and improve land management – to change deserts into blooming fields.” (29″)

Foreign Minister Sveinsson said climate change and disasters like Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan have taught us that a real energy transformation is needed. He said safe, clean and renewable energy is the way of the future.

Iceland has undergone a true energy revolution with almost all its electricity and heating needs being met with renewable energy, he said.